Dally’s Fly Fishing Report: 2-2-17

The prodigal son: former shop rat Chris Franzen back in town for the Lovefest and fishy as ever. Steve Dally image

I have a shirt with a caption on the back that reads “Obsession & Obstination”. Now, while this particular caption was not referring to trout fisherman, it does seem to perfectly fit those who pursue the x-large variety of Salmo trutta.

Obsession (əbˈseSHən) n.: an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.

Obstination (äbztəˈnāshən) n.: stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion.

Yep, that pretty much describes the tattooed, trucker hat wearing, brown trout chasin’ band of streamer junkies that invaded the shop this past Saturday night. They came from everywhere- as far south as Texas and as far north as Canada, all excited to hang out with other like minded “streamer-slingers” in the pursuit of happiness!

The crowd began to gather outside, well before the doors opened at 6:30. Darin and Alex kept many of them busy casting Sage, Redington, and Rio’s newest offerings. Then, as soon as the doors opened, they were rewarded with a bag full of some seriously nice swag (donated by many generous vendors), which was then followed by one awesome “dinner and a show”.

Can’t wait ‘til next year!

-Michael Jr.

Its not always about the spots. Redhorse sucker caught legit on a ruby midge by Blake Smith _ Steve Dally image

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White River:

Due to the continued lack amount of precipitation and fairly mild temperatures, flows for the most part have continued to be low. With that we’ve seen a lot of wadeable water at or a little above minimum flow (between 700- 1400 cfs), with short bursts of higher flows between 1,500 and 8,000 cfs.

Wade fisherman can continue to expect to do well with both nymphs and small streamers with the minimum flows we have been seeing.

Streamer fishermen should also try throwing sculpin imitations such as large olive woolly buggers, FS Bunny Sculpins, and Conrad Sculpins.

Norfork:

During those times when wadeable water is available (which has been for the better part of the day, this past week), nymph fisherman can expect to do well with Garrett’s Purple Death (size 18), Clint’s Sunday Special (sizes 16 and 18), midges (root beer and black & purple zebra in sizes 16 & 18), pheasant tails (size 16 & 18), hunchback scuds (size 16 & 18), and tailwater sowbugs (sizes 16 and 18).

Small sculpin patterns like FS Bunny Sculpins, Slump Busters, and Cone Head Woolies, are also productive when stripped slowly over the bottom. Other effective streamers are Bennett’s Lunch $, Jake’s CDC Squirrel Leech, and Craven’s Baby Gonga.